Jeremiah 36:1-10; 25:1-14; 36:11-32; 45; 15:10-21
It was the ninth month, and the king [(Jehoiakim)] was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.
Jeremiah 36:22-25
We should, of course, be utterly appalled at this display of arrogance on the part of Jehoiakim and his servants. But we should not be surprised. It is entirely in keeping with the attitude toward the LORD that Israel and Judah have shown for centuries, all the way back to the foot of Mount Sinai and a certain golden calf. From Moses and Joshua, through all the Judges, to Elijah and Elisha, Amos and Hosea, Isaiah and Micah, prophet after prophet proclaim God’s word, yet Israel and Judah refuse to listen. No, we should not be surprised at Jehoiakim’s burning of the scroll. It’s all just a vivid portrayal in microcosm of the poisoned heart of Israel and Judah.
If there is anything surprising in today’s reading, it is that after all these centuries of their hard-hearted rebellion, the LORD continues to offer forgiveness:
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Jeremiah 36:3
Yet that should not be surprising, either, as it is entirely consistent with the LORD’s heart of love, compassion, and mercy, which He so desires to lavish upon Judah. It is surprising only to the extent that we expect the LORD to be like us — stingy and unforgiving. The LORD is not stupid, though. He is not naïvely hoping for a ray of sunshine. He knows full well that the people are not about to repent, but He makes it clear that His heart is to forgive, that He would much rather see His people live in fellowship with Him than die apart from Him.
So maybe we are not surprised here, but we should still be appalled at Jehoiakim’s behavior. We should be even more appalled at our own, for even with his example before us, even with the full testimony of the rest of Scripture, even with the Cross and the Resurrection, even with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we yet sin. And if we are honest, we cannot say that it’s all accidental. Sometimes, at least, our sin is quite deliberate, and when it is, we may as well be Jehoiakim casually and callously burning the scroll of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
Are you ready and willing to repent? The LORD is more than ready and willing to forgive.
One more thing…
The God of all orders Jeremiah to write the former words in another book [scroll]. The sheet of paper was burned, but the divine law remained unharmed. So also when the body assumed by the Word suffered, the Word remained free from suffering.
Theodoret of Cyr, from “On Jeremiah”
From today’s readings… Have all of you latched onto, bonded with Baruch? He is Jeremiah’s bosom buddy, his scribe and friend. We’re not through with him yet. He remains a crucial part of Jeremiah’s life. So stay tuned. Watch for him. He is a major part of why I like the book of Jeremiah.
Yes, Baruch is definitely worth our attention. I said the other day that being a prophet is not for sissies. Well, being the faithful friend of a prophet isn’t for sissies, either!